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This is an archive article published on April 7, 2000

Two killed as soccer fans clash in Turkey

ISTANBUL, APRIL 6: Two fans of English soccer club Leeds United were stabbed to death in violent street clashes with Turkish youths on the...

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ISTANBUL, APRIL 6: Two fans of English soccer club Leeds United were stabbed to death in violent street clashes with Turkish youths on the eve of a highly-charged European Cup game, and flights due to bring more supporters from Britain were canceled to avoid further trouble.

“We have decided to cancel all official flights scheduled to travel today,” said Leeds Chairman Peter Ridsdale. “We are also appealing to any supporters who were intending to travel independently not to do so. This advice has been given for everybody’s well-being and personal safety.”

The violence was certain to put the spotlight back on English soccer which has been dogged by violence for the last two decades. England is vying to stage the 2006 World Cup finals, and has been at pains to convince other countries that its problems are now mostly a thing of the past.

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It will also heighten fears that the European Championship finals in Holland and Belgium in June will be marred by trouble among rival fans. England and Germany — two of the countries with the worst record of soccer hooliganism — meet in a potentially explosive encounter on June 17.

Above all, Turkey’s credentials for staging international sporting events will be tarnished. Visiting teams and fans are always given a hot reception in Istanbul, with banners warning “Welcome to Hell.”

Turkey’s ATV television showed footage of an English fan lying in a pool of blood while another fan tried to resuscitate him. STAR television showed Turkish fans hurling chairs at two British fans. Youths were also seen attacking Leeds fans with planks.

Private news channel NTV said police charged at fans to stop the riots and chased rival groups down side streets. A least 25 people, including British fans, were arrested.

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There were conflicting reports on the condition of the injured. A police officer, speaking on condition of anonimity, said none of the injured was in any life-threatening danger. Anatolia reported that one Leeds fan was in serious condition.

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